Yesterday, 17 June was a remarkable day for Germany as 250,000 people
took to the streets in over 80 cities to demand a better education
system. These massive demonstration was double the size of those that
took place last November, when school students went on strike. The main
demands were for smaller classes, 100,000 more teachers and the
abolishment of tuition fees and the BA / MA system, which was
established five years ago and causes much trouble and mental stress for
young students.

This is the first time in decades that third-level students and school
students have held joint protests.

mass protests

In Berlin, 27,000 young people marched together with university teachers
and school teachers, who were called on to strike by the union for
education and science workers(GEW).

In other cities, nursery nurses, who have been on strike for several
weeks, joined the protests.

The protest on Wednesday was the high point of a one week education
strike held from 15-19 June in many universities, which were organised
by Linksjugend solid – the youth organisation of die LINKE - and other
left groups and students. The situation is not yet comparable to the
political movements in France, Greece and Italy. However, it can be the
fist serious step towards building up such a movement and raise the
consciousness of the younger generation.

During several university occupations in over ten universities and
strike camps, alternative classes, discussions with professors and
teachers in many more cities, students often raised the idea that this
was just the first protest of many and could be used to build up
structures and committees to prepare for further and better protests in
the near future.

For many young people it is clear, that after the approaching general
election in September, the German ruling class will try to get back the
money that they gave to the bankers and that they will try to take it
from young and the working people. It is clear that we have to build a
strong movement to resist attacks on education and healthcare, on
pensions and on social projects. Yesterday’s strike was a crucial and
successful turning point for many workers and young people in Germany.